Taking Biggin Mike Down Watertown Road

There were no scratches in the 5 horse race. May Day Rose (Rockport Harbor - May Day Bluff by Pine Bluff) drifted up to even money, after opening at 1-9. Intentional (Chapel Royal - Honest Intentions by Devil's Bag) looked good in the paddock, but May Day Rose looked amazing as they headed to the track. The folks at TVG were going crazy over her red and white striped blinkers. The load was smooth, but May Day Rose hesitated slightly at the break. Nevertheless, she overtook Royal Ancestry (Distorted Humor - Horns Gray by Pass the Tab) for the lead. May Day Rose established a 3 length lead, and was seemingly cruising up front. However, she began to noticeably tire late. Sarah's Secret (Leroidesanimaux (BRZ) - Sarasota (ARG) by Luhuk) was the danger, and May Day Rose had little answer, as Sarah's Secret swept on by. I think the little hesitation at the start may have been the difference. May Day Rose should get the victory next time. Watch the Replay.

There were no scratches, and the track was fast. Gotcher Number (Nineeleven - Excite by Gone West) was favored, and Mybluegrasskitten (Bluegrass Cat - Cariada by Seeking the Gold) was 11-1. Witt's Halo (Uncle Abbie - Sunny's Clover by Sunny's Halo) went to the early lead, with Gotcher Number and Mybluegrasskitten in pursuit. Mybluegrasskitten weakened after a half and finished 5th. Witt's Halo and Gotcher Number continued 1-2 into the stretch. Julie C (Even the Score - Mlle. Rumble by Thunder Rumble) came on late to grab second, but she couldn't catch Witt's Halo, who got the victory by 1 1/4 lengths.

Result: August 22, 2010
Columbus Race 7Club House Special Stakes

Witt's Halo

$6.60

$2.60

$2.60

Julie C

$3.00

$2.60

Gotcher Number

$3.60

Showing Some Pride

There were no scratches, and the track was fast. The public had a little trouble deciding on a favorite, finally settling on Indy's Pride (Congrats - Pride of Yoda by Time for a Change). Valid Distinction (With Distinction - Native Wager by Valid Wager) and Feel the Pinch (Margie's Wildcat - Esthers Ball by Party Manners) were also well respected. Lady Lak (Bluegrass Cat - Summerwood by Boston Harbor) was 10-1. I kind of liked Angela's Bouquet (Imperialism - Toss the Bouquet by Runaway Groom) in the warm-up. Valid Distinction was fractious in the gate. The start was pretty even. Frosty Storm (Halo's Image - Copewiththestorm by Stormy Atlantic) held sway early, pressed by Indy's Pride. Lady Lak tried to get involved, but was hampered by her outside post. Indy's Pride went by Frosty Storm on the inside and moved into the lead. Valid Distinction tried to go after her, but she was no match. Indy's Pride pulled away for a 8 1/4 length victory. Valid Distinction was another 6 1/4 lengths in front of third-place Feel the Pinch. Lady Lak tired and finished 7th. Indy's Pride is the 10th winner for freshman sire Congrats. Watch the Replay.

Result: August 22, 2010
Calder Race 4Maiden Claiming ($16,000)

Indy's Pride

$5.00

$2.60

$2.10

Valid Distinction

$3.40

$2.40

Feel the Pinch

$2.60

Accept This

The turf was yielding, but there were no scratches. Favoritism bounced around a bit, settling on K C Lee (Lee's Badger - K. C. Classic by Sky Classic). Accept (Good Reward - Claremont by Point Given) and Pure Value (Value Plus - Melancholy by Run Softly) were just a few ticks higher. Bluegrass Dream (Bluegrass Cat - Dreambride by Unbridled's Song) was 6-1, which was down from her morning line of 10-1. She looked good, while Pure Value looked a little on edge. Pig Sooie (Belong to Me - Countessa by Lord At War (ARG)) was off slowly, the rest were fairly even. Battle of Love (A. P. Warrior - Unbridled Lover by Unbridled) streaked to the lead, soon building up a 6-length lead. This was short-lived, however, as the field soon caught up. Accept moved even with the pacesetter and then went on by. Pure Value dented the lead late, but Accept could not be caught. Bluegrass Dream was wide early, and not much involved after that, finishing 8th (last). Accept is the 6th winner for first-crop sire Good Reward. Watch the Replay

Biggin Mike (Henny Hughes - Be Happy My Love by Formal Gold) is scheduled to make his first start, going 5.5 furlongs at River Downs. He has been working at River Downs, including 4 furlongs in :49.00 on August 1. He is out of the winning mare Be Happy My Love, who has produced 2 winners. One of Biggin Mike's siblings won at 2. Be Happy My Love is a half sister to 2 winners, including 2004 Kentucky Derby winner Smarty Jones. Henny Hughes' 22 runners have made 41 total starts, recording 4 wins, 9 seconds, 3 thirds, and $111,319.

Also unraced areElroy J (Pioneering - Judy Jetson by Canaveral) and Mongol Boy (Pleasant Tap - Biding Time by Seeking the Gold). Elroy J is the second foal out of the winning mare Judy Jetson, who was placed at 2, and who earned $118,544 in her career. Judy Jetson's first foal is the unraced 3-year-old colt, Boy Elroy. Judy Jetson is a half sister to 3 winners. Mongol Boy sold for $10,000 as a yearling, and for $35,000 as a 2-year-old. Grade II winner Biding Time, dam of Mongol Boy, was a debut winner at 2, and also grade II stakes-placed that season. She has produced 4 winners, 2 of which won at 2.

Jump Boots (Medallist - Her Highness by Foxhound) and Johnny Slots (Mercer Mill - Juddi Ruddi by Danzig Connection) both have stakes experience. Jump Boots was 6th in the 5.5 furlong Hoover Stakes at River Downs on July 10. It was his only start. He sold for $10,500 as a yearling, and is out of the winning mare Her Highness. Her Highness was a winner at 2, and has produced stakes winner High Pin. High Pin won 2 races at 2, including the John W. Galbreath Memorial Stakes. Johnny Slots ran in the 6 furlong Cleveland Kindergarten Stakes at Thistledown on August 7, finishing 6th. It was his only start. He is a half brother to 3 winners, one of which won at 2. Juddi Ruddi, dam of Johnny Slots, is a half sister to 2 winners, including grade II winner Secret Firm.

Dance With Santana (Dance Master - Clear Fork Valley by King of Kings (IRE)) has run twice, finishing 5th in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight on June 11, and 7th in a 5.5 furlong Maiden Claiming race on July 2. Both of those starts were at Churchill Downs. He is out of the unraced mare Clear Fork Valley, who is a half sister to 6 winners, including stakes-placed Pleasant Hall, who earned $338,782.

Saycheese Hercules (Tale of the Cat - Hidden Curves by Mt. Livermore), who is part of an entry with Biggin Mike, finished 7th in his only start, a 5 furlong Maiden Claiming race at Hoosier Park on August 13. He is the second foal out of the winning mare Hidden Curves. Hidden Curves is a half sister to 5 winners, including stakes winner Sweet Baby James.

Watertown Road (Bellamy Road - Earthly Angel by Crafty Prospector) makes her second start, going 6 furlongs at Delaware Park. She made her first start on June 19 at Delaware Park, finishing 5th in a 5 furlong Maiden Special Weight. She's worked several times since then, including 4 furlongs in :50.60 at Delaware Park on August 18. Watertown Road sold for $9,000 as a yearling, and is out of the unraced mare Earthly Angel. Earthly Angel has produced 5 winners from 6 to run, including stakes-placed Gallatin Forest. Two of Watertown Road's siblings were winners at 2. Earthly Angel is a full sister to 2 winners, including grade II winner Mr. Bluebird; and a half sister to 4 winners. Bellamy Road has had 17 runners which have made 30 total starts, recording 6 wins, 4 seconds, 3 thirds, and earnings of $211,267.

Grand Gracie (Limehouse - Affair With Molly by Black Tie Affair (IRE)) finished 6th, behind Watertown Road, on June 19 at Delaware Park. She has made 5 starts in all. Her best finish was 4th in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight at Pimlico on May 21. She has finished 5th in her last 2 starts, at 5 furlongs at Delaware Park on July 19, and at 6 furlongs at Laurel on August 13. Those were both Maiden Claiming races. Grand Gracie sold for $3,500 as a weanling, and for $12,000 as a yearling. She is out of stakes winner Affair With Molly, who won 2 races at 2. Affair With Molly has produced 3 winners, one of which won at 2.

Aphrodite Storm (Roar of the Tiger - Grandma Nena by Montbrook) has run 4 times, all at Delaware Park. Her best finish was in her debut, when she finished 3rd in a 4.5 furlong Maiden Special Weight on May 4. Her most recent start was on August 2, when she was 5th in a 6 furlong Maiden Claiming race. She sold for $7,000 as a yearling, and is the second foal out of the winning mare Grandma Nena. Grandma Nena's first foal, Dbl Nvisabl George, who is a full brother to Aphrodite Storm, is a winner. Grandma Nena is a half sister to 3 winners.

Gallant Kittykat (Good Reward - Gallant Number by Polish Numbers) was 4th in her only start, a 5 furlong Maiden Claiming race at Delaware Park on August 5. She is by first-crop sire Good Reward, whose 21 runners have made 44 total starts, recording 6 wins, 4 seconds, 5 thirds, and $115,109 in earnings. Gallant Kittykat sold for $10,000 as a 2-year-old, and is a half sister to 3 winners. Her dam, Gallant Number, is a full sister to 3 winners, including grade III winner Biogio's Rose, and a half sister to 10 winners.

The only other experienced filly is Distortedredhead (Alke - Fourtheboys by Distorted Humor), who was 5th in 4.5 furlong Maiden Claiming race at Delaware Park on May 31 in her only start. She is out of the mare Fourtheboys, who was placed at 2. Fourtheboys has produced the winner My Sweet Thunder, and is a half sister to 4 winners, including stakes-placed Sultan of Spin, who earned $153,102.

Actin Lucky (Aldebaran - Yours Truly by Belong to Me) is the first foal out of the winning mare Yours Truly. Yours Truly is a half sister to 3 winners, including stakes winner Thatswhatimean and grade II stakes-placed Atswhatimtalknbout.

Sis Draper (Chapel Royal - Mason Crest by Grand Slam) is a half sister to Dead Flowers, who was a winner at 2, and also stakes-placed that season. Mason Crest, dam of Sis Draper, is a half sister to 5 winners, including Rihanna, a group I winner in Peru.

Honest Gal (Yes It's True - Gallelujah by Honour and Glory), who sold for $4,000 as a yearling, is out of the winning mare Gallelujah. Gallelujah did not run at 2, but was a debut winner at 3. Gallelujah has produced 2 winners from 2 to run, one of which won at 2. Gallelujah is a half sister to 11 winners, including stakes winners Gala de Oro, Gala Goldilocks, and Gala Gold Digger.